Minister Wilson to the Secretary of State.
Brussels, April 17, 1908.
Sir: I have the honor to report the opening of the discussion of the Kongo annexation bill in the Belgian Parliament on Wednesday, the 15th instant.
The debate was opened by the premier, Mr. Schollaert, who announced the purpose of the Government to encourage an ample discussion of the whole question of annexation and proposed that the additional act of the treaty, the treaty itself, and the colonial law should be voted upon in the order named, in one sitting, after a conclusion of the debate.
The leaders of the opposition having expressed themselves satisfied with this declaration, Mr. Schollaert continued his argument for annexation. He traced the history of the Kongo from 1878 to the present day, alluding to the results obtained by the sovereign’s initiative and by the efforts of Belgian soldiers, explorers, and missionaries; he claimed that the Kongo administration of justice compared favorably with that of the central African possessions of other powers. As to the international aspect of the question, he said:
We are firmly decided to fulfill scrupulously all the obligations which result for us from the conventions, and especially from the treaty of Berlin.
He then proceeded to an exhaustive statement of the value of the territories which it was proposed to annex, comparing them with possessions of other powers in Asia and Africa. He said the Government would take steps to enable private persons of all nationalities to acquire lands for the purpose of trade, and that the prices for which large tracts had already been sold to corporations were calculated to allay apprehensions as to the financial aspects of annexation. Much of what followed was devoted to an enumeration of the social and moral advantages which would result from annexation.
Mr. Davignon, the minister for foreign affairs, followed Mr. Schollaert.
He admitted in the course of his remarks that two powers, Great Britain and the United States, had asked how it was intended to apply the provisions of the Berlin act in the matter of international rights and freedom of trade. He said that it was not possible at this time to recount the character of the negotiations, but that the declarations of the premier clearly indicated the intentions of the Government. Mr. Davignon concluded his speech with the following moderate and dignified statement:
The Government will see to it that the taxation falling upon the natives shall be moderate, and Belgium will pursue the realization of reforms of all kinds. No one can doubt the loyalty of our intentions. We have an ideal [Page 571] and nothing shall prevent us from realizing it. We shall know how to respond to the wishes of a nation sincerely eager for colonization, and to justify the confidence of Europe. On various occasions the Chamber has announced its intention of maintaining complete independence and liberty in its votes and the Government realizes that this will be done. No one will be able to doubt our honesty or good faith. The loyalty with which we have fulfilled our engagements in the past is the guaranty of what we shall do in the future in regard to the Kongo.
Mr. Woeste, leader of the extreme Right, spoke at some length, commenting severely upon the English and American reform campaign, and affirming his belief that the object of these intrigues was the defeat of the pending annexation bill.
Mr. Destrée, Socialist, made a rather violent speech, urging an unlimited discussion of the pending question, and threatening the Government with obstruction unless a full expression of the views of the different political parties represented in the Chamber was permitted.
The president of the Chamber announced at the close of the day’s discussion that, under an agreement of the majority, the Chamber would meet in regular session every afternoon (except holidays) until May 9 for the consideration of the annexation bill; that after the elections, which occur on May 24, Parliament would be called in extraordinary session at a date fixed some time in June; that if at that time all of the members inscribed for the debate had spoken the vote upon the entire question would be taken at one sitting.
This declaration met with the approval of all the political elements in the Chamber, and it may be therefore safely assumed that the final vote on annexation will be had some time in June or July.
I have, etc.,